Del Toro has been working on the project for a number of years but keeps halting the production. In 2009 he was reportedly doing test shoots with Pan's Labyrinth star Doug Jones in the role of the monster.

Cumberbatch has previously played both the monster and Dr Victor Frankenstein in Danny Boyle's stage version of the story, alongside Jonny Lee Miller.

Del Toro's film is one of several Frankenstein-related movies currently in production.

Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe will play the monster in a as-yet-untitled film due for release in 2014. I, Frankenstein, which stars Aaron Eckhart and Bill Nighy, will also be out in 2014.